Gear Guides

Quick answer: for backpacking, a lightweight grill grate that sits over a fire ring or coals is the lightest option. Car campers can carry a compact folding charcoal or gas grill. Look for stainless steel or titanium that won’t rust, a stable, packable design and a carry bag to keep soot off your gear. Grilling

Quick answer: for car camping, a compact folding shovel with a locking head and a serrated edge handles digging fire pits, clearing snow and freeing stuck vehicles. For backpacking, a lightweight trowel is all you need to dig catholes for waste. A small shovel is one of the most useful tools in a camping kit,

Quick answer: alcohol stoves are tiny, silent, almost unbreakable and cheap to run, which makes them a favourite of ultralight hikers. They are slower than gas, harder to control and less effective in wind and cold, and many areas restrict them during fire bans. Choose a stove with a windscreen and a pot stand that

Quick answer: for backpacking, a folding saw with a 15–20 cm (6–8″) blade is the best balance of weight and cutting power. For car camping and cutting firewood, a larger folding saw or a bow saw cuts faster. Look for a blade that locks open and closed, and coarse teeth for green wood or fine

Do you love hiking or photography? Then the best camera strap for hiking is a must-have for comfort and safety reasons. Imagine hiking/walking all day with your camera annoyingly swinging. Your guess is as mine. Now, imagine when you get tired of the swinging, and then you decide to hold your expensive camera. What would

Quick answer: you don’t need to spend a lot to get reliable trekking poles. Under $50, look for aluminium (7075 or 6061) shafts, external lever locks rather than twist locks, cork or foam grips, and a collapsed length that fits on your pack. Carbon poles at this price are usually less durable than good aluminium